Morning journal and courier., 1887-02-09
18th Congress---Second Session.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8. SENATR.-The Senate passed twenty-two House bills, among them the following: To prohibit any officer of the government from hiring or contracting out prison labor; to amend the statutes relative to the lmmedl- ate transportation of dutiabse goods.
 - At o'clock the Eads railway bill was sub mltted, but by consent it's further considera- tion went over until Thursday.
 The bill securing statistics of the extent and value of the vessel fisheries of the United States was passed.
 On motion of MT. Palmer the House bill re- lating to the importing and landing of mack erel caught during the spawning season was taken up. A long debate ensued.
 An amendment by MT. Hoar was adopted postponing the period when the bill is to take effect from March 1, 1887, to March 1, 1888.
 The Senate then without disposing of the measure went into secret session and at 5:20 adjourned.
 HoUsE.-A bill was reported fixing the sal aries of the civil service commissioners at $5, ,000 per annum; committee of the whols
 The House went into committee of the whole on the Senate bill indemnifying cer tain Chinese subjects for losses sustained by the Rock Springs, Wyo., riot in September, 1885. Mir. Belmont deplored that there had been so much delay in the consideration of
 
 ness. After sketching the circumstances of the massacre he explained what he consider ed the necessity of the United States govern ment granting indemnity for the losses. During the course of further remarks MT. Belmont in answer to an inquiry said there was disposition on the part of the Chinese government to modify the immigration treaty so as to bring about results more eff fective than could be secured by legislation | And with this assurance the committee did not intend to bring up at this time the bill restricting Chinese immigration.
 MT. Phelps hoped there would be no hag- yling over granting the indemnity asked by he Chinese government. If the United States government were not bound in view of he past history of the two countries to in lemnify the Chinese subjects it would be pound to do so under all treaty obligations
 MT. Daniel took the ground that the claim vas a small one and righteous one and it lid not become this country to procrastinate onger in making the payment. MT. Morrow criticised Congress for not it's duty to the country by the passage of bill restricting Chinese immi- l ,ration.
 The House bill was substituted and as so smended was reported to the House and | passed. The following were also passed: Senate bill | the importation of opium into l he United States by any subject of the Elm | oeror of China House bill to carry into eff ect the international convention of March | A, 1884, for the protection of submarine ca oles.
 On motion of MT. McCreary. of Kentucky, he bill authorizing the President to arrange l conference for the purpose of promoting arbitration and encouraging reciprocal com nercial relations between the United States | md the republics of Mexico, Central and | South America and the empire of Brazil was | aken up and briefly commented upon.
 Pending action, however, the Houss at l ESQ took recess until 7:30. The evening | ession was devoted to eulogies upon the late | members, Beach, Dowdney and Arnot.